UBBC meets with Lisa Yasko MP

Baroness Nicholson hosted a discussion in Parliament with Lisa Yasko MP from Ukraine on 29th October. Lisa Yasko shared her current observation of the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and Kyiv in particular, with a small group of UBBC members including Simon Cassey of BMS, Ashley Goodall and Ben Evans of Atkins.

Ms Yasko said that since end of August, with the new Russian bombardment, Kyiv has been defenceless to the ballistic missiles and volume of drones, often thousands a day. This has made ordinary life very difficult and is having an exhausting effect on the population, especially as Russia is targeting economic and business interests. It has been difficult to run parliament due to the bombs, but despite that the Rada has passed new laws approving EU accession regulation and anti-corruption measures, which are tough, but passed unanimously. Ukrainians are all unified on the key issues including defence and EU accession and its implications.

She called for humanitarian support for schools, including bomb proof shelters, medicines for the general population and protective munitions. This will be the worst winter for Ukraine.

Baroness Nicholson said that as an EU rapporteur for 10 years, she enabled Romania to join the EU, often against EU resistance, and asked how the process is going with the lead negotiators and offered her support. Ending Corruption is a key aim but joining the EU is now essential for Ukraine. Other discussions evolved around Music and how developing choirs can have a profound benefit to mental health, Ms Yasko is a musician and was interested to consider setting up a Ukraine parliamentary choir, and wider choirs for vets , children and to improve mental health of the population.

Baroness Nicholson then suggested Lisa could meet more parliamentarians next week and attend a conference on 4th November.